§ Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how many it is planned to increase the number of 27W doctors qualifying each year; and what is the estimated total cost for each year of the current quinquennial period.
§ Sir K. JosephBy about 1,350 each year, from 2,343 in 1972 to about 3,700 when students qualify in the additional places to be provided by the end of the decade in the current expansion programme. The latter figure assumes a wastage of about 10 per cent. before qualification. On costs, I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science that estimates made centrally do not distinguish the medical faculty element in university allocations. When university block grants are distributed by the University Grants Committee it is for each university to decide on the distribution of its grant between the faculties.
§ Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many overseas-born doctors are employed by the National Health Service; and what percentage of the total number of National Health Service doctors this represents;
(2) how many overseas-born doctors work as junior hospital staff; and what percentage this represents of their category;
(3) how many overseas-born consultants practise in the National Health Service; and what percentage they represent.
§ Sir K. JosephThe numbers and percentages, for England and Wales, as at September 1972, are as follows:
Number overseas born Overseas born as percentage of total Consultants 1, 324 12.8 Hospital doctors below consultant grade 7, 696 46.3 All National Health 13, 780* 26.5* * Estimated, pending detailed scrutiny to eliminate duplication of doctors with both hospital and general practitioner contracts
§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of general practitioners and the average number of patients on their lists in the county borough of Brighton for the latest available date.
§ Sir K. JosephThe number of unrestricted principals practising in the28W county borough of Brighton as at 1st October 1972 was 87 and the average list size was 2, 143.